Chapter 174 That bitch - Caroline POV
My nostrils flare as I look at the picture on my phone's screen.
Can it be true?
It has to be, the evidence is right in front of me. That friend of hers who is also accusing Ben of rape is holding Madison's slightly rounded stomach.
She's dresses very smart. A pleated powder blue dress that hides the baby bump, if that asshole didn't touch her nobody would have noticed.
Who is the father?
It can't be Ben, I know that much is true, they weren't together for some time before he died.
As far as I know, she wasn't seen with any other man aside from that model who was killed. Is he the father? Did they have a relationship that wasn't shown on social media? That's the only thing that makes sense.
It could be anyone, though, she could've just been discreet about who she is fucking.
It makes me so fucking mad. Why does she get to be pregnant and go on with her life when my son is six feet under. All because of her!
She was the nail in his coffin. She stepped forward and claimed he drugged and raped her, and suddenly there were more people who claimed the same thing.
I always knew she doesn't belong in the hierarchy, we take care of our own. We don't go running to the newspapers every chance we get. No, we keep quiet, plot behind the scenes.
"Did you hear about Madison?" I ask Benedict at breakfast.
He freezes, not meeting my eyes. "What about her?"
"Tabloids says she's pregnant." I take a sip of my coffee, and wince. Not the same way Samuel used to make it, but beggars can't be choosers. We have to pick our battles.
"Some of us have to move on." Benedict sighs, meeting my eyes.
He looks so tired, poor him. Losing the butler has been hard on him. They always were way too close for comfort, the line between employer and employees definitely blurred.
"How is Miguel doing?" I want to know, genuinely curious.
"He's at a wellness retreat." My husband clears his throat. "I suspect Ben's death is hard on him."
"Mmmm." I don't believe that. The two were never close. In fact, Ben was highly intimidated by Miguel. I always used to tell him it's stupid, they didn't have to compete over anything, but Ben always wanted to be better. I thought it was good for him trying to outnumber his brother, but it became such a huge part of his life afterwards.
"I'm going back to California to check on him after Samuel's funeral." Benedict sighs again like the world is resting on his shoulders. It probably is. It's not easy to lose your child and then your butler who has been working for you for decades. And your company is down the drain that you invested all your time in.
I shouldn't care, damn it! I shouldn't care that it looks like he hasn't slept in days, that for once he actually looks his age. It should not bother me.
Why do I love this man? He's never loved me, I don't even think he has ever respected me.
Yet I can't bring myself to hate him.
I don't have time to dwell on Benedict's feelings. I have things to do, the list is waiting for me.
"Maybe I can come with you to visit Miguel."
Maybe I can slip him something, so that he can make me forget about all the lonely nights in this house. Miguel and Ben were the only ones who made life here bearable. Fun, even.
Benedict stiffens again. "Maybe that's not a good idea. We're not allowed to see him yet, he has to be the one who requests a visit."
And he certainly won't request a visit from me. I didn't know why he has become so cold towards me when I gave him everything, more than his mother ever could.
He belonged to me once. I controlled all his movement, how many times his friends were allowed to visit, what he ate.
I couldn't have Benedict, so I took Miguel instead.
"Is there anything you want me to organize for Samuel's funeral?" I want to know, not really interested to even attend.
Samuel hated me, and I hated him back. Killing him was a joy, seeing him lying on that floor was euphoric.
"No, not at all." Benedict clear his throat. "I'll handle it."
I get up from the table and walk around it to pat him on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry about Samuel, I know how much you cared for him."
Maybe a little too much, that's why the old cow thought he could dictate what happens in this house. He thought he was the master of it all when that is a position that belonged to me. For too long I have been stepped on and overlooked. It's time I took the power back, make them all realize that I'm the last person they should have discarded.
I go to my room to get ready for my next mission, but not before I look at that picture of Madison pregnant and smiling again.
"You little whore." I sneer. "I'm coming for you, and you and your bastard child won't see the light of day again."